Volkswagen T-Roc 2020 Review

It has been a long time coming Down Under for the Volkswagen T-Roc, which is still three months from Australian showrooms but first appeared publicly in concept form way back at the 2014 Geneva motor show.

The German car-maker’s local officials watched on as the Volkswagen T-Roc hit European roads in 2017 and then hit New Zealand in 2018, only to be hamstrung by red tape that ultimately prevented its local arrival for another two years.

The latest of those was a strange Australian Design Rule compliance setback only this year, pushing its introduction back to August.

In any case, the Volkswagen T-Roc gives the ‘premium for the people’ brand a second entrant in the booming compact SUV segment. A two-prong attack of sorts. And it arrives with a considerable point to prove.

The Volkswagen T-Roc will initially be available only in a single, high-spec 140TSI Sport variant priced from $40,490 (plus on-road costs), before being joined by an entry-level version at a later date.

The latter is expected to employ a less powerful four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine, and will provide VW with something of a half-way mark between the T-Roc and smaller T-Cross, which starts at $27,990 (plus on-road costs).

An additional T-Roc variant would be welcome, since this one is considerably dearer than a base Volkswagen Tiguan (from $34,150) and costs as much as entry-level premium offerings from the German luxury triumvirate.

Standard features for the flagship Volkswagen T-Roc are extensive, however, extending to a digital instrument display (read: virtual cockpit), 8.0-inch touch-screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry and start, 18-inch alloys, LED ambient lighting, chrome roof rails, LED headlights, reversing camera and front/rear parking sensors.

As with other Volkswagen models, there are optional equipment packages available with the 140TSI Sport.

These include the $2000 Sound and Style package, bringing 19-inch alloy wheels, adaptive suspension and a 300-Watt sound system. Then there’s the $3500 Luxury Package, which bundles a panoramic sunroof, Vienna leather upholstery and an electrically-operated tailgate.

The Volkswagen T-Roc is backed by a five-year/unlimited kilometre factory warranty and one-year roadside assistance.

Volkswagen offers capped service pricing for the T-Roc, which amounts to about $3000 for the first five years of ownership. However, that figure dips to $2300 if you opt for the up-front five-year Care Plan when purchasing the vehicle.

Service intervals are 15,000km or 12 months (whichever comes first).

Safety equipment is likewise all-encompassing, with items including Front Assist with City Emergency Brake (low-speed AEB) and pedestrian monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane assist with adaptive lane guidance, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic assist, traffic jam assist and automatic wipers and headlights.

With an all-wheel drive system and the latest driver aids (beyond stability/traction control and anti-lock brakes), along with full airbag coverage, the T-Roc is by no means dated on the safety front.

The Volkswagen T-Roc was awarded a maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating in Australia, back-dated to its European release in 2017.

The Volkswagen T-Roc shares its MQB platform, engine line-up and interior proportions with the Volkswagen Golf hatch.

In this case, the 140TSI 4Motion borrows a detuned version of the EA888 engine used on the Golf GTI. In high-riding form it produces a formidable 140kW and 320Nm, sending drive to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.

Nought to 100km/h officially takes 7.2 seconds. Meanwhile, fuel use is officially rated at 7.2L/100km combined, using the recommended 95-octane premium unleaded fuel. The T-Roc’s Euro-compliant petrol engine features a combined emissions rating of 163g/km CO2.

Many might rightly perceive the Volkswagen T-Roc as a Golf on stilts; the truth is it drives in much the same way.

The new compact SUV adapts many of the composed driving manners of the venerable hatchback, ably balancing performance and comfort duties.

Precise and well-weighted steering, excellent chassis control and sound cabin acoustics endow the Volkswagen T-Roc with what may well be benchmark dynamics within the mainstream compact SUV brigade.

Even with its higher-riding stature, the T-Roc restrains its circa-1500kg mass well, hunkering down through corners while offering excellent feedback to the driver.

What’s more, the Volkswagen T-Roc is composed and controlled on typical B-grade roads, with a sporty ride that shakes off all but the harshest of obstacles with aplomb.

And whereas some rival SUVs can tend to feel undernourished on the open road, where many are also upset by big undulations and cross winds, the T-Roc’s 4.2-metre exterior marches along the highway confidently, its tachometer barely spinning above idle speed.

There’s a redeeming sporty charm to the Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI Sport too, one underlined by its Volkswagen Golf GTI engine. Peak power and torque are achieved from 4900-6000rpm and 1500-4800rpm respectively; there’s a broad spread of power on hand here.

The engine features a trademark hesitation upon setting off – a combination of the DSG transmission and turbo lag – but beyond that point develops crisp and accessible power through the rev range, and is kept in its sweet spot thanks to the transmission.

The drivetrain pairing also prove to be remarkably efficient in real-world driving, achieving a fuel consumption average of 6.8L/100km.

Elsewhere, the Volkswagen T-Roc reaffirms its German origins with a nicely dressed cabin, quality materials and clear, legible instrumentation.

With its inception dating back to 2017, there is a slightly last-generation feel to the centre fascia, but all in all it’s a neat, contemporary and comfortable space.

Front passengers are presented with two central cup holders, an open cubby area, large door pockets and two USB ports. Broad proportions offer a clear, unobscured outlook of the road.

The rear seat is well appointed too, with rear air-vents, a flip-down centre arm rest, 12-volt outlet and large door pockets. There’s enough space to host a couple of adults on longer journeys, while on the child front there’s ISOFIX points for the outbound seats.

Ultimately the T-Roc’s more rakish design limits it being a full-time family chariot in the same manner as the cheaper, more practical Volkswagen T-Cross. But it’s a useable space nonetheless.

Further back, the T-Roc’s 392-litre boot offers adequate proportions for a small family and their belongings, but will be quickly put to the test by a designer pram. A 12-volt outlet, space-saver spare tyre, flat floor with tie down points and electric tailgate are all redeeming features.

Alongside the T-Cross, the T-Roc gives Volkswagen a broad offering in the booming compact SUV segment.

The Volkswagen T-Roc 140TSI Sport itself is a solid all-round machine, but would have broader appeal with a more affordable entry variant. Watch this space.

How much does the 2020 Volkswagen T-Roc cost?
Price: $40,490 (plus on-road costs)
Available: August 2020
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 140kW/320Nm
Transmission: Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel: 7.2L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 163g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Five-star (ANCAP 2017)